Enhanced strength partition assembly with integral pad

ABSTRACT

An enhanced strength partition assembly for using with a reusable palletized shipping box system, containing a plurality of individual compartments, i.e, a crate, formed from mated slotted transverse panels and slotted longitudinal panels. A system of exterior panels surrounding the interlocking panels to form the outside of the partition assembly. Alternatively, an exterior panel with an overlapping section surrounds the interlocking panels, secures to itself, and forms the outside of the partition assembly. Flaps extending from the lower edges of the exterior panels may be folded to form an integral layer pad for separating the partitions formed by the partition assembly from other sections of the palletized shipping box. Portions of the slotted panels are adhered to and extend over a greater area of the exterior panel to provide additional structural support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application 62/096,729filed on Dec. 24, 2014 and is incorporated by reference in its entiretyas if fully recited herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a partitionassembly with an integral layer pad for use with reusable palletizedshipping systems.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to paperboard containers, andmore particularly to enhanced strength partition assemblies for use inreusable palletized shipping systems (also referred to herein asreusable palletized shipping boxes). A typical reusable palletized boxcomprises a base pallet, an enclosure that is approximately the sameouter dimensions as the base pallet, and may include a cover that fitsover the enclosure to protect the contents of the enclosure and toprevent foreign material from entering the enclosure during the shipmentof the palletized container. Reusable palletized boxes are generallyconstructed to conform to predetermined external dimensions forefficient shipment, storage, and to allow for standardized handlingequipment. Because reusable palletized boxes may be subject to roughhandling including rapid deceleration resulting from a forklift operatorrapidly lowering the reusable palletized box to the ground, it isdesirable that internal partition systems exhibit high levels ofstructural strength to withstand such rough handling. Existing partitionsystems are primarily configured for providing internal compartmentswithin the reusable pallet shipping system. The partitions are commonlyformed from interlocking sheets. These interlocking sheets commonlycomprise interior divided cells, and perimeter cells that are openaround the perimeter of the divider. Alternatively, interlocking dividerpartitions do not delineate a complete perimeter cell, but provide foran abbreviated perimeter cell that functions as an air cell around theperimeter of the divider.

The use of perimeter air cells result in a waste of a significantportion of the palletized container volume, and add weight to thedivider system that does not provide for additional item cells. Inaddition, heavy items carried in the interior cells may shift andcollapse the perimeter air cells, allowing additional shifting of thecontents of the palletized container. Shifting can cause impact damageor lead to the collapse of partition sections stacked within a reusablepalletized box. Known partition assemblies may not provide sufficientvertical strength to withstand rough handling, resulting in damage tothe devices transported within the partition sections. In addition,known partition assemblies require a separate layer pad component toprovide a separation between multiple partition sections stacked withina reusable palletized box or between partitions and the bottom of thebox.

Reusable palletized boxes are generally used to ship components from asupplier to a manufacturer for use in the manufacture of products suchas automobiles or appliances. As the palletized boxes are reusable, theyare shipped from the manufacturer back to a supplier for reuse. Becausepalletized boxes have standardized dimensions, they may be used to shipa variety of different components from multiple suppliers to amanufacturer. As a result, palletized containers may be shipped todifferent suppliers depending upon the needs of the manufacturer.Because components shipped from a supplier may vary in size, shape, andweight, different partition assemblies may be inserted into a palletizedbox depending upon the components to be shipped. The result is thatpartition sections and pads must also be shipped from a partitionassembly maker to a supplier where they are inserted into reusablepalletized boxes, filled with components and shipped to a manufacturer.Known partition assemblies are formed from loose dividers that arefitted together using interlocking slots. Such assemblies are laborintensive as they must be assembled and inserted into a reusablepalletized box before use. Because known assemblies are formed fromloose dividers, removing the partitions often results in their comingapart. These partitions must be shipped back to a supplier and may beconfused with those to be shipped to other suppliers. Therefore, knownpartition systems are not conducive to reuse. In addition, the padseparator sections, having to cover the openings of a reusablepalletized box partition, must be relatively large.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that alternatives to theinterlocking divider systems and layer pads used with reusablepalletized boxes may result in greater partition stacking strength andresistance to rough handling as well as reduced cost as the result ofimprovements in the efficiency of return shipping to suppliers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

A partition assembly for use in a reusable palletized box may contain aplurality of individual compartments. The partition assembly may includea series of substantially parallel transverse panels. Each transversepanel having a partitioning section and two folding tab sections, saidfolding tab sections extend from each side of the partition section,respectively, and share a common side and bottom edge with the partitionsystem. The partition section may have at least one slot extending fromthe bottom edge of each transverse panel upwardly. Each folding tabsection may extend beyond the top edge of the partition section, therebydefining a separate top edge, and be configured to be folded along theside edge shared with the partitioning section. The partition assemblymay also include a series of substantially parallel longitudinal panels.Each longitudinal panel also has a partitioning section and two foldingtab sections, said folding tab sections each extending from either sideof the partitioning section, respectively, and share a common side andbottom edge with the partitioning section. The partitioning sectionshaving at least one slot extending from the top edge of eachlongitudinal panel downwardly. Each folding tab section may extendbeyond the top edge of the partition section, thereby defining aseparate top edge, and is configured to be folded along the side edgeshared with the partitioning section.

The transverse panels and the longitudinal panels are perpendicularlydisposed with the transverse panel slots being placed within thelongitudinal panel slots to create a crate of individual compartments(partitions). The number of slots in each of the transverse andlongitudinal panels may be varied depending on the number of interiorpartitions desired. The partition assembly also has at least oneexterior panel. Embodiments of the exterior panel have a top edge, abottom edge, a pair of side edges, and at least one flap that extendsfrom the bottom edge of the exterior panel to form a layer pad. Theexterior panels may have a tab and recess at one side edge and a matingtab and recess on the opposite side edge. Other embodiments of theexterior panel may have tabs at one edge and mating recessescorresponding to the tabs on the opposite edge. Still other embodimentsof the exterior panels may have one or more tabs on one side edge thatoverlap a portion of the opposite edge when such an exterior panel ismated with a corresponding exterior panel to form the outer panels of apartition assembly. Each panel may have at least 1 vertical fold line.The exterior panels surround the partition system assembly therebyforming an outside surface of the partition system that fits closelywithin a reusable palletized box. Each transverse panel folding tabsection and each longitudinal panel folding tab section is secured tothe exterior panels and the exterior panel ends according to theexternal panel embodiment employed. When thus secured, the tab sections,which as described previously herein, may extend beyond the top edge ofthe partition sections. This extended tab portion, being secured to theexterior panels, contributes to the strength of the formed partitionsystem, particularly in regard to compressive forces applied to the topand bottom edges of the exterior panels. As partition assemblies may bestacked within reusable palletized boxes during use, this contributedstrength may result in improved performance over partition assemblieswithout extended tab portions. The at least one flap that extends fromthe bottom edge of the exterior panel may be folded against the bottomedges of the partition section to form a pad that separates thepartitioned section from the bottom of the reusable palletized box oranother partition system located below the present partition system inthe reusable palletized box. Preferred embodiments may have two suchtabs, each covering about one half of the partition bottom. Using theseflaps to form the pad section eliminates the need for a separate partwhen assembling the partition systems into a reusable palletized box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of thepresent invention will be readily apparent from the followingdescriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein likereference numerals across the several views refer to identical orequivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of a known reusable palletized box and lid;

FIG. 2 is a view of a prior art partition system and pad as used with areusable palletized box;

FIG. 3 is a view of a partition assembly with integral pad according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a longitudinal panel according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a transverse panel according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view of another embodiment of a partition assembly accordingto an embodiment of the invention in which an integral pad is notvisible;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exterior panel according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a partition assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the partition assembly of FIG. 6, inwhich an integral pad is not visible, starting to be folded into asubstantially flat state; and

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the partition assembly of FIG. 9 almostcompletely folded to a substantially flat state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

The disclosed partition assembly with integral layer pad is useful inshipping component parts in individual compartments located within areusable palletized box so as to prevent damage to the component parts,for example, by parts bumping against each other during shipment. Thedisclosed partition assembly with integral pad assembly may be shippedin a relatively flat, folded-down configuration and then unfolded forinsertion into a reusable palletized box prior to insertion of componentparts. The entire volume of the partition assembly may be used forstoring component parts inasmuch as compartments fill the entireinterior volume of the partition assembly which forms a layer within areusable palletized box. The disclosed partition assembly containsfolded tabs that provided additional structural strength, which isparticularly helpful when stacking partition systems within a reusablepalletized box.

FIG. 1 illustrates a reusable palletized box which is well known as ameans for shipping parts from suppliers to manufacturers. Shown is apallet section 102 which serves to position the box section 104 off thefloor such that the blades of a forklift are able to access the palletfor lifting. The pallet section 102 of the palletized box may also serveto stiffen the floor of the box section to prevent damage by theforklift blades. The box section 104 may vary depending upon the type ofcomponents and manufacturing environment in which it will be used. Forexample, lighter components may be stacked higher than correspondinglyheavier components and as a result, the box section may be verticallytaller in such applications. The box section 104 is generally the samehorizontal size as the pallet section 102, but in some embodiments maybe smaller or larger depending upon the application. Also illustrated isa cover 106 that fits over the top of the box section 104. In someapplications a cover may not be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a known embodiment of a partition formed fromindividual pieces. As may be observed, the partition consists of upper202 and lower 204 cross pieces. These pieces comprise a section of slotsrunning from the bottom edge upward in the upper cross pieces 202 andfrom the upper edge downward in the lower cross pieces 204. These crosspieces are assembled at right angles and placed inside the box sectionof a palletized box 104. The pallet 102 is not illustrated in thisembodiment but one skilled in the art will recognized that the pallet isgenerally affixed to the lower portion of the box 104. As isillustrated, the ends of the upper cross pieces 202 a, as well as theends of the lower cross pieces 204 a, protrude beyond the last crosspiece to form a space between the partition and the palletized box 104.This partition is set atop a layer pad 206 and installed in a palletizedbox 104.

A partition assembly according to an embodiment of the invention isillustrated in FIG. 3. As will be described in more detail herein, thepartition assembly is comprised of at least one outer panel 302 and aplurality of transverse panels 304 and longitudinal panels 306. As isillustrated, the outer panel 302 may comprise one or more flaps 308 thatfold upwardly against the lower edges of the transverse 304 andlongitudinal 306 panels to form a layer pad. The partition assembly maybe sized to fit closely within a palletized box 104. When inserted intothe palletized box 104, the partition assembly performs the function ofthe partition as illustrated in the prior art example of FIG. 2 but hasseveral advantages over prior art partitions including, but not limitedto, greater strength, ease of insertion/removal, more efficient use ofthe space within the palletized box 104, and less costly shipping andstorage costs resulting from embodiments of the invention which arecapable of being folded substantially flat when not in use.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, embodiments of the invention utilize one ormore transverse panels to partially form a partition assembly 300. Anembodiment of such a transverse panel 304 is illustrated in FIG. 4.Transverse panels may each have a partitioning section 402 and a pair offolded tab sections 404 and 406 located at opposite sides of thepartitioning section 402. The partitioning section 402 further comprisesone or more slots, illustrated as 18 a-18 i, extending from the bottomof panel 402 upwardly to about the midpoint of the height thereof.Depending upon the application and the number of partitions desired, thenumber of slots may be lesser or greater than illustrated. Fold lines,408 and 410, run along the edge shared by the partitioning section 402and the folded tab sections 404 and 406, from top to bottom of thepartitioning section 402 forming the side edges of folded tabs, 404 and406.

As was illustrated in FIG. 3, embodiments of the invention may utilizeone or more longitudinal panels to form the remainder of the partitionassembly. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a longitudinalpanel 306. As is shown, the embodiment of a longitudinal panel comprisesa partitioning section 502 and folding tab sections 504 and 506extending from opposite sides of the partitioning section 502. Thepartitioning section 502 further comprises one or more downwardlyprojecting slots, 26 a-26 b, extending from the top edge of partitioningsection 502 to about its midpoint. Fold lines, 508 and 510, run alongthe edge shared by the partitioning section 502 and the folded tabsections 504 and 506, from top to bottom of the partitioning section 502forming the side edges of folded tabs, 504 and 506. The number of slots18 a-18 i and 26 a-26 b may be in greater or fewer number than thatillustrated in the figures. Importantly, slots 18 a-18 i and 26 a-26 bare configured to cooperate for mutual insertion when panel slots 18a-18 i and 26 a-26 b are placed at substantially right angles to eachother to form the individual compartments illustrated in FIG. 3 for thepartition assembly 300. The number of individual compartments for eachpartition assembly also is a matter of choice and can be fewer orgreater than that shown in the figures.

As is illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of panels 304 and 306 may beseen in position forming individual compartments. Surrounding theplurality of panels and forming the outside of the illustrated partitionassembly is at least one exterior panel, typified by panel 700 asillustrated in FIG. 7. As is shown, panel 700 has a flap 702 whichoverlaps and may be secured to an end of an external panel to form anenclosure surrounding the plurality of panels 304 and 306 that form thecompartment section of the partition assembly. Referring again to FIG.6, other embodiments may utilize tabs and recesses to align the exteriorpanel ends as illustrated at 602 and 604. The illustrated embodiment ofexterior panel 700 also has fold lines, 36 a, 36 b, and 36 c, runningfrom top to bottom of the panel, the distance therebetween determiningthe lateral dimensions of each partition assembly. Embodiments of theinvention may also have a flap 308, extending from the lower edge of oneor more side panel, with fold lines 704 between the lower edge of theside panel and the flap 308. Depending on the number of compartmentsdesired, a plurality of exterior panels 700 may be required to form theoutside of the partition assembly. In such embodiments, the number offold lines 704 and flaps 308 for each panel 700 will be adjustedaccordingly. For example, in an embodiment using four panels to form apartition assembly, each panel may be formed with a single fold line.Embodiments that are elongated rather than predominantly square mayutilize a single flap 308 rather than the two flaps illustrated in FIGS.3 and 7. Such embodiments may be useful when a palletized box 104 isdesired to be configured with a plurality of different sizes ofpartition assemblies in a single layer. An example of such an embodimentmay be a palletized box intended to be used to transport more than onecomponent type from a supplier to a manufacturer. In such a use, onecomponent may be larger or exhibit dimensions that requires a differentshaped partition than another component.

In embodiments of the invention, each longitudinal 304 and transverse306 panel may have the folded tab sections 404, 406, 504, and 506therein folded to be adhered to exterior panel 700 by adhesive, tape, orother securing mechanism. As is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, in anembodiment of the invention, the folded tabs 404, 406, 504, and 506 maybe configured to extend along substantially the entire portion of theexterior panel 700 that forms a wall of a partition 606 formed by afirst longitudinal panel and a second longitudinal panel or a wall of apartition 608 formed by a first transverse panel and a second transversepanel. In addition, folded tabs 404, 406, 504, and 506 may extend alongthat portion of an exterior panel 700 forming a wall of a partitionbetween an exterior panel and a longitudinal panel or a transversepanel. When secured by adhesive, tape, or other securing mechanism,these tabs may serve to add strength to the partition assembly 300.

In addition to configuring the folded tab sections to occupysubstantially all of the exterior panel sections of certain partitions,embodiments of the invention may be configured such that the tabsections 404, 406, 504, and 506 extend above the top edge of thelongitudinal and transverse partition sections 402 and 502. Such anembodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein tabs 504 and 406 are shownto extend above the partitions to approximately the top of the exteriorpanel 700. These extensions serve to add rigidity and strength to theexterior panels 700 that extend above the partitions. Depending upon theintended application, the height of the side panels relative to thelongitudinal and transverse panels used to form the partitions may varyto allow the exterior panels 700 to extend above or below the partitionportion of the assembly. For example, in one embodiment, the exteriorpanels may be arranged such that their upper and lower edges align withthe upper and lower edges in the longitudinal and transverse panels usedto form the partition portion of the partition assembly. In anotherexample embodiment, the exterior panels 700 may extend above thepartition portion as is illustrated in FIG. 6. Such embodiments mayallow a part contained in a partition to be more easily accessible to aworker or machine attempting to remove a part from the partitionassembly for installation or use. Certain embodiments of the inventionmay configure the partition portions of the longitudinal and transversepanels to have cutout sections along their upper edge. These cutoutsections may serve to allow a worker or machine to more easily access apart located within a partition.

Test results show superior performance of the present invention whencompared to prior art designs. In one test a partitioned container madein accordance with the present invention having substantially fullcoverage of the tabs 404, 406, 504, and 506 (see, for example, theassembly illustrated in FIG. 6) did not collapse until 1337.3 poundswere applied to the top of the container. The similar testing performedon another container of the same design and same size did not collapseuntil 1454.9 pounds were applied. The same test performed on a prior artcontainer, which was not configured to have full coverage of the foldsbut rather had only about half coverage of the folds, collapsed at just479.9 pounds applied. Improvements in the strength of the partitionassembly may permit such partition assemblies to be stacked in layerswithin a reusable palletized box to reduce shipping costs and reduceshipping damage when compared to known methods of partitioning reusablepalletized boxes.

The disclosed partition assemblies are configured such that they may befolded substantially flat for shipment. For example, from the place ofmanufacture of a partition assembly to a location where the partitionassembly is inserted into a reusable palletized box and filled withcomponent parts for storage or shipment. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, apartition assembly 300 may be folded, as seen in FIG. 9. Such foldingmay be continued until the partition assembly is substantially flat, asseen in FIG. 10. This flattened configuration may reduce cost as aresult of requiring less space while being transported in an empty stateto the point at which the assembly is unfolded and placed within areusable palletized box for use. In addition, as was described above,palletized boxes are frequently used to transport a plurality of partsfrom different suppliers and, as such, may be shipped to a differentparts supplier depending upon the needs of the manufacturer using thepalletized box. In such a situation, a partition assembly may be removedfrom the palletized box at the manufacturer and folded flat for storageand shipment back to the parts supplier from which it originally came.Being able to easily remove the partition assembly and store or ship itin a minimal amount of space may reduce the costs associated with thereuse of the partition assembly. These reduced costs may result ingreater reuse, resulting in less waste and increased cost savings whencompared to known palletized box partitions.

Materials of construction for forming the partition assemblies may be apaperboard or corrugated material, such as, for example, cardboard,pasteboard, fiberboard, corrugated plastic sheets, or the like. However,other recyclable material having the necessary strength and rigidity forthe particular application envisioned may also be suitable. It will beappreciated that the wall construction thereof, i.e., single-ply,double-ply, or higher, may be varied depending upon the intendedapplication. The partition assemblies have been described herein withreference to the use of corrugated paperboard; however, such descriptionis illustrative and should not be considered a limitation on the presentdisclosure.

While the partition assemblies have been described with reference tovarious embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of thedisclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosurewithout departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it isintended that a partition assembly not be limited to the particularembodiments disclosed. All citations referred herein are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A partition assembly for use in a reusablepalletized shipping box containing a plurality of individualcompartments comprising: (a) a subassembly comprising: (i) at least onesubstantially parallel transverse panel, each transverse panel furthercomprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sectionsextending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of foldlines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section andthe folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of theshared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series ofslots extending upwardly from the bottom edge of the partitioningsection to about the midpoint of the height thereof; (ii) at least onesubstantially parallel longitudinal panel, each longitudinal panelfurther comprising a partitioning section; a pair of folded tab sectionsextending from each side of the partitioning section; a pair of foldlines each located on a side edge shared by the partitioning section andthe folded tab sections, said fold lines running the length of theshared edge; the partitioning section further comprising a series ofslots extending downwardly from the top edge of the partitioning sectionto about the midpoint of the height thereof; said transverse panel andsaid longitudinal panel being perpendicularly disposed with saidtransverse panel slots being placed within said longitudinal panel slotsto create a series of individual compartments; and (b) at least oneexterior panel, each exterior panel being defined by a top edge, abottom edge, and a pair of side edges; the exterior panel having atleast 1 vertical fold line; wherein said folded tab sections of thetransverse panel and the longitudinal panel are configured to extendvertically substantially the distance from the bottom edge of theexterior panel to the top edge of the exterior panel; and wherein saidfolded tab sections of the transverse panel and the longitudinal panelare configured to extend horizontally along the exterior panelsubstantially the distance formed by a said individual compartment; saidexterior panel also comprising at least one flap extending downwardlyfrom a bottom edge of said exterior panel, further defined by fold linesextending horizontally along the edge shared between the exterior paneland the bottom panel, where the combined area of all flaps is at leastequal to the area formed by the lower surface of said subassembly. 2.The partition assembly of claim 1, wherein said exterior panels compriseat least one tab and at least one recess at one side edge andcorresponding mating tabs and recesses on the opposite side edge; saidexterior panel tabs and recesses being mated.
 3. The partition assemblyof claim 2, wherein said mated panel tabs and recesses of said exteriorpanels are adhesively joined to a transverse panel fold tab.
 4. Thepartition assembly of claim 1, where said exterior panel(s) areconfigured to surround said subassembly to form the outside surface ofsaid assembly.
 5. The partition assembly of claim 1, where each foldedtab section of each transverse panel and each longitudinal panel isadhesively joined to said exterior panel.
 6. The partition assembly ofclaim 1, formed from corrugated stock.
 7. The partition assembly ofclaim 1, wherein such transverse and longitudinal panels are arranged toenable the assembly to be folded substantially flat.
 8. The partitionassembly of claim 1, wherein said exterior panels comprise at least oneflap at one side edge, said flap overlaps a portion of an adjacent sideedge and is secured to said adjacent side edge.
 9. A partition assemblyfor use in a reusable palletized shipping box containing a plurality ofindividual compartments comprising: (a) a series of substantiallyparallel transverse panels, each transverse panel further comprising apartitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from eachside of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on aside edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tabsections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; thepartitioning section further comprising a series of slots runningupwardly from the bottom edge of the partitioning section to about themidpoint of the height thereof; (b) a series of substantially parallellongitudinal panels, each longitudinal panel further comprising apartitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from eachside of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on aside edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tabsections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; thepartitioning section further comprising a series of slots runningdownwardly from the top edge of the partitioning section to about themidpoint of the height thereof; said transverse panels and saidlongitudinal panels being perpendicularly disposed with said transversepanel slots being placed within said longitudinal panel slots to createa series of individual compartments; and (c) an exterior panelcomprising at least four exterior panel sections defined by fold linesextending vertically along the exterior panels; two lower flaps eachextending downwardly from a bottom edge of the adjoining exterior panelsection, further defined by a fold line extending horizontally along theedge shared between the adjoining exterior section and bottom panel;where the lower flaps, when folded upwardly to contact the lowersurfaces of said partitions, substantially cover the openings of allsaid partitions; an overlapping panel extending from, and in line with,the final exterior panel section, defined by a fold line extendingvertically along the side edge shared between the overlapping panel andthe adjoining exterior panel section; wherein said folded tab sectionsof the transverse panel are configured to extend verticallysubstantially the distance from the bottom edge of the exterior panel tothe top edge of the exterior panel; and wherein said folded tab sectionsof the transverse panels are configured to extend horizontally along theexterior panel substantially the distance formed by a said individualcompartment.
 10. The partition assembly of claim 9, wherein saidadjoining exterior panels from which said lower flap extend are locatedon opposite faces of the partition assembly such that when said flapsare folded upwardly to contact the lower surfaces of said partitions,the lower edges of said lower flaps are substantially parallel with eachother.
 11. The partition assembly of claim 10, wherein said lower flapsin combination, when folded upwardly to contact said lower surfaces ofsaid partitions, cover substantially the entire said lower surface ofsaid partitions.
 12. The partition assembly of claim 9, additionallycomprising at least one upper panel, extending upwardly from an upperedge of an adjoining exterior panel section, further defined by a foldline extending horizontally along the edge shared between the adjoiningexterior panel section and the upper section.
 13. The partition assemblyof claim 9, wherein said panel tabs are adhesively joined to an exteriorpanel.
 14. The partition assembly of claim 9, wherein the overlappingpanel is configured to overlap and be secured to the exterior panel. 15.The partition assembly of claim 9, wherein such transverse andlongitudinal panels are arranged to enable the assembly to be foldedsubstantially flat.
 16. The partition assembly of claim 9, formed fromcorrugated stock.
 17. A partition assembly for use in a reusablepalletized shipping box containing a plurality of individualcompartments comprising: (a) a subassembly comprising: (i) at least onesubstantially parallel transverse panel formed from corrugated stock,each transverse panel further comprising a partitioning section; a pairof folded tab sections extending from each side of the partitioningsection; a pair of fold lines each located on a side edge shared by thepartitioning section and the folded tab sections, said fold linesrunning the length of the shared edge; the partitioning section furthercomprising a series of slots extending upwardly from the bottom edge ofthe partitioning section to about the midpoint of the height thereof;(ii) at least one substantially parallel longitudinal panel formed fromcorrugated stock, each longitudinal panel further comprising apartitioning section; a pair of folded tab sections extending from eachside of the partitioning section; a pair of fold lines each located on aside edge shared by the partitioning section and the folded tabsections, said fold lines running the length of the shared edge; thepartitioning section further comprising a series of slots extendingdownwardly from the top edge of the partitioning section to about themidpoint of the height thereof; said transverse panels and saidlongitudinal panels being perpendicularly disposed with said transversepanel slots being placed within said longitudinal panel slots to createa series of individual compartments; and (b) one exterior panel formedfrom corrugated stock and configured to surround said subassembly, saidexterior panel being defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair ofside edges; the exterior panel having at least 3 vertical fold linesforming four exterior panel sections; an overlapping panel extendingfrom, and in line with, the final exterior panel section defined by afold line extending vertically along the edge shared between theoverlapping panel and the adjoining exterior panel section; wherein saidoverlapping panel is configured to overlap and be secured to an adjacentsection of the exterior panel; wherein said exterior panel furthercomprising two lower flaps each extending downwardly from a bottom edgeof the adjoining exterior panel section, further defined by a fold lineextending horizontally along the edge shared between the adjoiningexterior panel section and bottom panel; where the lower flaps, whenfolded upwardly to contact the lower surfaces of said partitions,substantially cover the openings of all said partitions; wherein saidfolded tab sections of the transverse panel and the longitudinal panelare configured to extend vertically substantially the distance from thebottom edge of the exterior panel to the top edge of the exterior panel;wherein said folded tab sections of the transverse panel and thelongitudinal panel are configured to extend horizontally along theexterior panel substantially the distance formed by a said individualcompartment; wherein said folded tab sections are adhesively joined toat least one of said exterior panels; and wherein said transverse andlongitudinal panels are arranged to enable said assembly to be foldedsubstantially flat.